George Mendonsa, sailor kissing woman in iconic V-J Day photo, dies
/ CBS/AP
Providence, R.I. — The ecstatic sailor shown kissing a woman in Times Square celebrating the end of World War II has died. George Mendonsa was 95.
Mendonsa's daughter, Sharon Molleur, told The Providence Journal Mendonsa fell and had a seizure Sunday at the assisted living facility in Middletown, Rhode Island, where he lived with his wife of 70 years.
Mendonsa was shown kissing Greta Zimmer Friedman, a dental assistant in a nurse's uniform, on Aug. 14, 1945. Known as V-J Day, it was the day Japan surrendered to the United States.
The photo by Alfred Eisenstaedt became one of the most famous photographs of the 20th century.
It was years before Mendonsa and Friedman were confirmed to be the couple. Friedman died in 2016 at the age of 92.
Mendonsa died two days before his 96th birthday.
"It was the moment that you come back from the Pacific, and finally the war ends," Mendonsa told CBS News' Michelle Miller in 2012.
"I did not see him approaching, and before I know it I was in this tight grip," Friedman said.
But Mendonsa said he didn't kiss her for long.
As the perfect strangers locked lips, world famous photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt snapped four pictures in just 10 seconds. CBS News reunited George and Greta in 2012 at the spot of their kiss for just the second time since that day in 1945.
"The excitement of the war bein' over, plus I had a few drinks," Mendonsa said. "So when I saw the nurse I grabbed her, and I kissed her."
But they weren't the only ones claiming credit. For more than 30 years, others claimed to be the ones in the photo. And for just as long, George has fought to set the record straight.
He found an ally in Lawrence Verria, a Rhode Island history teacher turned author. In his 2012 book, "The Kissing Sailor," Verria argues the evidence rules out everyone but the retired fisherman from Middletown, Rhode Island.
"It's a story about our nation and World War II," Verria said. "It's a story about a kiss. It's a story about a place. It's a story about a publication. But at the end it's a story about two national treasures, who for 60-some years never got the due that was theirs."
First published on February 18, 2019
© 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Twitter, Snap CEOs to be invited to international "fake news" hearing
They're on a list that includes a dozen of the world's most powerful tech leaders, including Apple's Tim Cook, and Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg
updated 1M ago 
Sailor in iconic 1945 Times Square kiss photo dies
CBS News reunited George and Greta in 2012 at the spot of their kiss for just the second time since that day in 1945
updated 3M ago 
Widow shares text message her husband sent during shooting
Josh Pinkard among five victims killed in mass shooting at manufacturing warehouse outside Chicago
updated 32M ago 
McCabe: Rosenstein considered asking Comey for advice after firing
Former acting FBI director says after Trump dismissed James Comey, the deputy attorney general was concerned about the future of the Justice Department's Russia investigation
1H ago 
Trump slams "treasonous" McCabe after explosive interview
The president also expressed his disapproval with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein
1H ago 
McCabe: Rosenstein considered asking Comey for advice after firing
Former acting FBI director says after Trump dismissed James Comey, the deputy attorney general was concerned about the future of the Justice Department's Russia investigation
1H ago
Trump slams "treasonous" McCabe after explosive interview
The president also expressed his disapproval with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein
1H ago 
Trump policies met with scrutiny and confusion on world stage
The Munich security conference was a backdrop to growing tensions between the U.S. and its Western allies
1H ago 
EU states say taking ISIS recruits back "not as easy" as Trump thinks
Mr. Trump has demanded that EU states take back ISIS recruits for trial, but European nations' reactions have been mixed
2H ago 
North Carolina's elections board holds hearing on ballot fraud allegation
The hearing will include the results of an investigation into allegations that a political operative tampered with mail-in ballots in a rural county
2H ago
Twitter, Snap CEOs to be invited to international "fake news" hearing
They're on a list that includes a dozen of the world's most powerful tech leaders, including Apple's Tim Cook, and Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg
updated 1M ago 
Poland accuses Israeli official of "racist" remarks, bails on summit
Jerusalem summit collapses after acting foreign minister says Poles "collaborated" with Nazis, "sucked anti-Semitism with their mothers' milk"
updated 4M ago
Trump policies met with scrutiny and confusion on world stage
The Munich security conference was a backdrop to growing tensions between the U.S. and its Western allies
1H ago
EU states say taking ISIS recruits back "not as easy" as Trump thinks
Mr. Trump has demanded that EU states take back ISIS recruits for trial, but European nations' reactions have been mixed
2H ago 
Rubio warns Venezuelan troops against "crime" of blocking aid
Standing at Venezuela's border with Colombia, U.S. senator tells Maduro's troops that following his orders would be a "crime against humanity"
3H ago 
Jussie Smollett: Timeline of alleged hate crime on "Empire" actor
The alleged attack of "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett has sprawled into a three-week saga of confusing reports and contradictions
8H ago 
NYPD investigating commander accused of telling officers to shoot 50 Cent
"The matter is under internal review," the NYPD spokesperson told CBS News
19H ago 
The colorful history of pink
Originally a symbol of the aristocracy, the color's later association with gender stereotypes would leave some seeing red; yet pink has become embraced by activists as representing power that cannot be ignored
Feb 17 
Dionne Warwick: A singular voice
Over a six-decade career, she's made all her own songs that generations have swayed to, sobbed to and loved to
21H ago 
Melissa McCarthy on playing a literary grifter
The Oscar-nominee stars as a forger of celebrity letters in "Can You Ever Forgive Me?"
Feb 17
Twitter, Snap CEOs to be invited to international "fake news" hearing
They're on a list that includes a dozen of the world's most powerful tech leaders, including Apple's Tim Cook, and Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg
updated 1M ago 
Facebook "misled" Parliament on data misuse, U.K. committee says
CEO Mark Zuckerberg previously said the company learned of the breach from journalists, but a new report questions that
5H ago 
Amazon threatens Philadelphia over plan to ban cashless stores
Bill that would require businesses in the city to accept accept cash could derail Amazon Go expansion
Feb 15 
GM now in the electric bike business
Detroit automaker initially plans to launch two-wheeled vehicles in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands
Feb 15 
Facebook, FTC reportedly discussing "multibillion dollar" fine
The fine would be the largest ever imposed on a tech company, and is related to the Cambridge Analytica scandal
Feb 15 
FDA approves device to treat heart defect in tiniest babies
Smaller than a pea, the device from Abbott can be implanted in premature babies weighing as little as 2 pounds
Feb 15 
Depression may speed brain aging, research suggests
Researchers say they've found clues that depression may worsen cognitive decline
Feb 15 
How effective is this year's flu shot?
New data from the CDC estimates the effectiveness of this year's flu vaccine
Feb 14 
Could diet soda raise a woman's stroke risk?
New research looks at the possible connection between diet sodas or artificially sweetened fruit juices and heart health
17H ago 
Duchess shines light on dangers of osteoporosis
Camilla, 71, opened up about her late mother Rosalind, who died of the bone disease in 1994
Feb 14
Twitter, Snap CEOs to be invited to international "fake news" hearing
They're on a list that includes a dozen of the world's most powerful tech leaders, including Apple's Tim Cook, and Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg
updated 1M ago 
Employer-paid student loan repayment help could be coming
A bipartisan bill would let companies contribute up to $5,250 tax-free annually toward workers' student loan debt
1H ago 
U.S. could face new trade battle over car tariffs
Commerce Department set to rule on whether foreign auto imports threaten national security
2H ago 
Southwest Airlines faces an "operational emergency"
In a memo obtained by CBS News, the airline called for all hands on deck, and warned that maintenance employees could face termination for unexcused absences
2H ago
Facebook "misled" Parliament on data misuse, U.K. committee says
CEO Mark Zuckerberg previously said the company learned of the breach from journalists, but a new report questions that
5H ago 
Widow shares text message her husband sent during shooting
Josh Pinkard among five victims killed in mass shooting at manufacturing warehouse outside Chicago
updated 32M ago 
Police searching for man seen on video assaulting gay man
Video shows suspect asking victim if he's gay and when told he is, hitting him outside Salt Lake City bar
4H ago 
Chicago police want to speak to Jussie Smollett again
"Empire" actor claims he was victim of racially charged, anti-gay assault but sources say he paid accomplices to stage the assault
3H ago 
Synagogue vandalized in NYC as people inside observed the Sabbath
About 15 people, including children, were at the synagogue during the early Saturday incident in East Williamsburg
6H ago 
Suspect charged in triple murder at California bowling alley
Reginald Leander Wallace faces three counts of murder, four counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon
11H ago Original Article
